classes

The following criteria are applied when assessing oral presentations in classes:

-Delivery: clarity and audibility; variety of tone; engagement with audience.

-Coherence of presentation and argument: concise and informative introduction and conclusion; clear sign-posting of what is being said; ensuring that listeners have sufficient background; logical order to sections and development of argument in clear steps; consideration of possible counter-arguments; appropriate balance of argument and information; good time-keeping.

-Handouts and visual aids: a clearly produced handout, summarising key points; use of other appropriate handouts, e.g., of documents, and other visual aids, e.g. slides, or use of powerpoint, where appropriate.

-Interest and learning value: enthusiasm for subject; stimulation of ideas; appropriate level of detail; increasing knowledge and understanding of the field of the presentation.

-Accuracy and choice of information: factual accuracy; appropriateness of examples; use of unusual examples; capacity to argue from examples.

-Awareness of historical issues and any historiographical issues: capacity to show how specific topic fits in with wider historical area; consideration of relationship with key themes of the course; issues of comparison, including those beyond the focus of the course; mastery of secondary literature; consideration of any relevant debates; contextualisation of any original ideas being put forward.

-Questions and discussion: presentation pitched at a level and in a way that generates discussion; understanding questions asked by class, rephrasing where necessary; direct answers to questions; conciseness; honesty.